January | Rest of Month

January was another full month for everyone and a lot of fun too.. :) 

First off though, I found a couple photos on my phone from a couple outings with Alex in November: one where we had to get some organics (I straightened my hair that day) & the other when we all went to the Dollar Store and Alex decided to make James a Dr. Seuss character.

Going back a bit, on January 7th, Hank & Tasha (Alex's sister and hubby), Daniel & Rachel, and a couple other friends went on a quadruple date to Tito Macaroni's, before going to the Cotton Candy machine (thus our cotton-candy colored outfits). Alas, we had so much fun at the table, though we were just next door, we arrived and they were *gasp* closed!! Horrors!! T'was a great disappointment, but we all solemnly decided we must go again and change our fate.

Plans having changed, we went on to have dessert at Gooeys and embraced a chilly walk around the short side of the boardwalk before clambering back into our cars and driving home.

On the 13th, Alex dropped by for lunch and brought by these beautiful mini Orchids to grace my desk at work..aren't they adorable?! :) He's such a sweetheart.

We all went skiing again, 3rd week of January, and since homeschool days get such good rates, you always see friends on the slope... :) (Let me tell you--homeschoolers don't lack for friends!!) 

A relaxing, quiet afternoon journaling, working, and drinking a healthy version of  an Orange Julius and popcorn. :)

January 24th was a full day, starting with the Homeschool Spelling Bee. It's long been a tradition to compete and enjoy these annual competitions, and at the end, I'm proud to say that Esther and Josiah (our 2 competitors) won their divisions (6th and 8th grades, respectively) and are going to Regionals in March!! It'll sure be fun to see if either of them go to Nationals this year!

Afterwards, we all went to celebrate at Ihop, and Alex and one of the judges came and ate with us.

In our opinions, you never get too old for coloring! :)

Afterwards, we went to the Symphony (another annual tradition), and this time Alex came with us too! That's been awhile... Isn't he handsome? ;)

 That evening, a bunch of my co-workers (ie. friends and family, haha) and I had a game night...talk about fun! This game is called Ticket to Ride, and if you haven't played, you should! It's awesome, and a mix between relaxing and strategic. I was yellow and did pretty good! :)

Alex and I had a little mudding adventure on the 26th, and enjoyed washing the car clean afterwards. :)

Aren't these adorable?! I found them for a GREAT price at GoodWill for Rebekah.

January 31st, to finish out the month, Esther and I made pizza together for dinner....talk about delicious! :)

 Mmmm..are you hungry now?? Haha...well, you should be!!

And that was our January! Yes, there were other things--selling alpacas (we're down to 20 now!), lots of work and school, etc. But these were our highlights.

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: according as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love..."

~ Ephesians 1:3-4 ~

A Surprise For Papa

Papa turned 50 this year, and Mama really wanted to surprise him....so, we did some big planning. Mama was the brains behind it all. We had a 'surprise' party for him on his birthday, and the boys and I decorated the dining room all gorgeous (in colors of life and vibrancy), in preparation for the 'real' shebang.

David, Samuel and I had lots of fun putting this all up!! :)
The centerpiece was leftovers from past centerpieces, ribbons, paper creche flowers I made out of streamers, and the old wrapping off of store-bought flowers, stuck into an old floral block. :)

We gave him his presents and all too, and had a lot of fun reminiscing back over the years (unfortunately, I didn't get pictures of that, as I was videoing it)... It was really precious! :)

Mama is an excellent cook, and we just love her!!!
Rebekah and Esther had fun decorating Papa's chair and making his poster.

Surprise! :)

The boys decided to play a practical joke on Papa--he absolutely LOVES his mom's rolls, and it's been a family joke for a LONG time... Anyway, they put one into a balloon and had Papa pop it. :) Boy, was he a happy camper! :)

 One thing I love about my dad is that he is a listener. He's very wise, and I love talking to him... He also isn't pushy, though when he has made a decision, though he is open to appeals, it stands. He's always making everything fun, and is a diligent, innovative worker. I love working for him as a boss, and enjoy the times we drive into town together.
Papa is extremely competitive, creative, humble (and as his daughter, I can say that ;p), determined, resourceful, and generous. I am so blessed to grow up in the home that I have, and to have the father that I have.

Papa, I'll always be your little girl!!! <3

Some random pictures we took...I don't get many of me at family events since I'm mostly behind the camera, so it was fun to find these two. Had to post this one of Rachel--isn't she beautiful?! :D

So....on to the big event.
Papa was home all day Saturday, and we had it scheduled for Saturday evening. We were a little worried that we'd be able to pull it off without him suspecting something (since there were going to be 75 people there that we were feeding...) However, he was so busy in the office working on stuff that we even set the tables right under his nose!!!

The plan was that his cousin's family was going to be coming into town and would be eating dinner with us. The hope was that Rick would be able to get him downstairs and playing games before the guests started coming.

That's where we started having issues. You see, Rick was just a bit late, and the guests started arriving. We were able to lock the dogs up before they barked too much, and the girls went out to the lions halfway down our driveway to direct people to park up at the barn and wait until they were signaled. It was an almost catastrophe.

Finally, Rick and his family arrived, and made a big hullabaloo in the entryway, while we tried to motion to him to hurry and get Papa downstairs. He made up some story about how he'd been telling his wife "all day" about how much he was looking forward to playing pool with Papa, and so he was able to get them settled down there JUST IN TIME, for they weren't even out the doorway when a guest tried to walk in the front door. We were able to motion "NO!" and get the door shut just in time that Papa didn't see (since his back was turned), leaving a bunch of people freezing on the doorstep.

 What memories!!! Finally, everyone assembled, including Papa's brother from WA who drove all the way out here with my cousin to surprise him, and he led the charge downstairs to shock Papa. It was perfect. Everyone followed, and we started singing Happy Birthday. Papa was so surprised to see Uncle Jim that he didn't even see the flock of followers for probably 20 seconds!! Then it was a roar again.. ;)

Papa and Uncle Jim

The look on Papa's face was priceless "Who are all these people??" ;)

After welcoming everyone personally, we went upstairs and ate, followed by blessings or memories folks shared with him, and more visiting. It was so special!!! I made a slideshow of his growing up that we showed at the very end after dessert, and that was a lot of fun for people to reminisce over!!

I am so VERY blessed---we are so very blessed to have Papa as our father. Thank you Papa for following God with your whole heart and teaching us what that meant by word and deed!

I love you!!!

"And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve;....but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

~ Joshua 24:15 ~

"Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is His reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate."

~ Psalms 127:3-5 ~

...When I Say I Am A Christian....

Rebekah shared this with me, and I couldn't help but post it. May this be all of our heart's prayer and cry!!

When I say..."I am a Christian"

I'm not shouting "I am saved"

I'm whispering "I was lost!"

That is why I chose this way."

When I say..."I am a Christian"

I don't speak of this with pride.

I'm confessing that I stumble

and need someone to be my guide.

When I say..."I am a Christian"

I'm not trying to be strong.

I'm professing that I'm weak

and pray for strength to carry on.

When I say "I am a Christian"

I'm not bragging of success.

I'm admitting I have failed

and cannot ever pay the debt.

When I say..."I am a Christian"

I'm not claiming to be perfect,

my flaws are too visible

but God believes I'm worth it.

When I say..."I am a Christian"

I still feel the sting of pain

I have my share of heartaches

which is why I seek His name.

When I say "I am a Christian"

I do not wish to judge.

I have no authority.

I only know I'm loved.

- by Carol S. Wimmer

Selah's Baby Shower

January 10th held my bestie-turned-cousin's baby shower, and boy, was it lovely!! There were so many hands that put work into it, and it was so much fun!

Rachel Dunn managed the whole shebang and I was quite impressed with all the work she, Selah's family and all my cousins did... Aren't the decorations wonderful?!

Cake, Cake Pops, Fruit Salad, Fruit Salad in Waffle Cones, Chocolate Nuts

Crepe and Mini Pancake Bar with Fruit, Sauces, and Mini Cinnamon Rolls

Shrimp and Veggie Table, Little Quiches, and Virgin Marmosas

Beautiful decorations and Chocolate-Covered Oreos as favors.

We had a hair bow and onesie decorating table, which was a big hit.

Aren't these awesome and amazing?? Katie (who married my other cousin) is due in April!!

Besties!!! <3 Love this amazing woman!!

"Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate."

~ Psalms 127:3-5 ~

Love you Selah and I'm so looking forward to watching you and Luke raise Esme-Aurra Selah into a woman of God!!

January | Week 1-2

Well, I'm  going to try to do things a little differently this year.... (Yes, I know I'm starting this in February, but that's okay) =) My sweet friend Tasha (Alex's sister) has been doing a Photo-A-Day post for the last year or two, and I've decided to try to do that in variations as possible this year too, plus a a few other additions as well.

ONE: The second conference (with Chris Hogan) for Couples

TWO: Alex and I during the conference.

THREE: The leftovers of my cousins' snowman they built at Christmas.

FOUR: Skiing with the Hogans

FIVE: Ice Skating (sorry the picture is blurry! :/) Christopher, Kellie, Alex & I

SIX: Taking our skates off

SEVEN: Our chickens taking a stroll, having flown captivity :)

We had a lovely time with the Hogans, but unfortunately, my photos of all of us are unable to download right now. The conferences were amazing and blessed a lot of people, and encouraged us all. We had a little celebration for both Uncle Chris' and Papa's birthdays, as they both turned the "big 5.0.". It was a lot of fun and quite special for all of us kids...our visit wasn't long enough though.

I haven't ice skated in a few years, and it was so much fun, though my balance still isn't good yet..

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good work, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven." 

~ Matthew 5:16 ~

Christmas/New Years 2014

Well, my dear readers, I finally re-found my SD card containing all of our Holiday memories...thus, here is a post on that, and after seeing all the memories I took, I'm SO glad I found it!! :)

I know Christmas isn't about decorations, but I have to say that decorating has always greatly fascinated me, and is still one of my holiday highlights. Really probably, it is the contrasting, coordinating colors. They ooze out of me, and adding something to our collection makes me SO happy!